“Permanent blind”

I was contemplating building a “permanent” blind. in a spot I want to try this year that ALWAYS has ducks, but has very little available cover to set up a blind or hide. I want to build this blind in a long horshoe shape so one could ease the boat up into it and then need only worry about hiding the stern and motor.
Should be legal as far as I can tell.

Fishahollik,

I have a large farm pond that I really do well goose hunting on. Trouble with it is.., it’s like trying to hide on a pool table. We fool quite a few of them with grassed in layout blinds, but we can’t get by with more than a couple hunters, as multiple layout blinds look to funky to the honkers. So I contacted the DNR about building a permanent blind. (Keep in mind, this is a totally private farm pond). I was told, by multiple DNR officials, that a blind in the water could only be built if there was already sufficient vegetation to partially conceal a boat.
So if your area doesn’t already have enough NATURAL vegetation to partially conceal a boat.., you may be about to do something illegal.., and as such.., you could get cited. Worst thing about all of this.., it is totally open to the discretion of the CO. If there is a little existing vegetation, one CO may never question your blind.., the other could insist that there doesn’t exist enough natural vegetation, and could hand you a ticket.
I would contact a local CO, one that knows the spot you are talking about, and get his opinion. If he agrees, you could always use that in discussing it with any other CO that wants to make an issue out of it.
I hope this helps!!!!!!

Fishahollik,

I have a large farm pond that I really do well goose hunting on. Trouble with it is.., it’s like trying to hide on a pool table. We fool quite a few of them with grassed in layout blinds, but we can’t get by with more than a couple hunters, as multiple layout blinds look to funky to the honkers. So I contacted the DNR about building a permanent blind. (Keep in mind, this is a totally private farm pond). I was told, by multiple DNR officials, that a blind in the water could only be built if there was already sufficient vegetation to partially conceal a boat.
So if your area doesn’t already have enough NATURAL vegetation to partially conceal a boat.., you may be about to do something illegal.., and as such.., you could get cited. Worst thing about all of this.., it is totally open to the discretion of the CO. If there is a little existing vegetation, one CO may never question your blind.., the other could insist that there doesn’t exist enough natural vegetation, and could hand you a ticket.
I would contact a local CO, one that knows the spot you are talking about, and get his opinion. If he agrees, you could always use that in discussing it with any other CO that wants to make an issue out of it.
I hope this helps!!!!!!

Plus, on the river, you may be building a blind for someone else to use alot of the time.

I think it is actually against the FWS rules of the Upper Mississippi refuge to construct “permanent” blinds. Now, what exactly is permanent as opposed to temporary would probably eb up for debate.

Plus, on the river, you may be building a blind for someone else to use alot of the time.

I think it is actually against the FWS rules of the Upper Mississippi refuge to construct “permanent” blinds. Now, what exactly is permanent as opposed to temporary would probably eb up for debate.

I think a permanent blind is something you can’t take back w/you at the end of the day. If you leave it overnight, and they catch you, i would expect a ticket.

I think a permanent blind is something you can’t take back w/you at the end of the day. If you leave it overnight, and they catch you, i would expect a ticket.

What I am talking about would amount to the horseshoe shaped group of sticks shoved in the mud like you see down just south of Ferryville along the wisconsin side of the river. I see that “most” of the structure stays put year in and year out.
I wasn’t planning on cementing in pilings or anything.

What I am talking about would amount to the horseshoe shaped group of sticks shoved in the mud like you see down just south of Ferryville along the wisconsin side of the river. I see that “most” of the structure stays put year in and year out.
I wasn’t planning on cementing in pilings or anything.

If use use nautral materials like that, you probably won’t have a problem. I do believe to meet the “open water” hunting rules, there has to be some natural veg in the area to begin with. Not sure though, not to up on those as I don’t hunt open water much.

You likely will have a problem with others using it though. Maybe not, you never know.

If use use nautral materials like that, you probably won’t have a problem. I do believe to meet the “open water” hunting rules, there has to be some natural veg in the area to begin with. Not sure though, not to up on those as I don’t hunt open water much.

You likely will have a problem with others using it though. Maybe not, you never know.

Once you construct a blind on public property.. it becomes public property and is a 1st come, 1st serve basis.. Similar to building a permanent tree stand on public property.. 1st come, st serve.

I was reading the regs and it does look like there has to be enough vegetation to partially conceal the boat.. its a touchy issue.

I am sure you wouldnt have a problem if one side of your boat was covered by cattails and you put brush up to conciel the rest of the boat… but your going to get handed a ticket if your sitting in a blind in a area covered with lily pads and a few rice stalks sticking up.

Blinds make life much easier.. but I wouldnt set up anywhere that you think might be even remotely questionable by what the laws state.

There is a fair description in the waterfowl synopsis.. pick one up and use your best judgement.

Once you construct a blind on public property.. it becomes public property and is a 1st come, 1st serve basis.. Similar to building a permanent tree stand on public property.. 1st come, st serve.

I was reading the regs and it does look like there has to be enough vegetation to partially conceal the boat.. its a touchy issue.

I am sure you wouldnt have a problem if one side of your boat was covered by cattails and you put brush up to conciel the rest of the boat… but your going to get handed a ticket if your sitting in a blind in a area covered with lily pads and a few rice stalks sticking up.

Blinds make life much easier.. but I wouldnt set up anywhere that you think might be even remotely questionable by what the laws state.

There is a fair description in the waterfowl synopsis.. pick one up and use your best judgement.

Here is the reply I got from the USFW

“Mr Joseph, thank you for your question on Mississippi River blinds. Your question was forwarded to me from Mr. Van Horn. Page 7 of the 2005 WI Migratory Bird Regulations talks about open water hunting on the Mississippi River. The area south of Goose Island is USFWS Refuge so there regulations also apply on their property. Securely anchored blinds in opened water are allowed not more than 100 feet from dry land. A boat blinds the hunter comes and leaves with leaving nothing behind are most common and legal when securely anchored within 100 feet of dry land. The USFWS does allow natural vegetation, willow cuttings and marsh grass to be set up to drive your boat into during the migratory bird season. These willows and grass may be left up in opened water and reused if within 100 feet of dry land. Blinds within areas of natural vegetation rooted to the bottom not including dead trees may be placed at any distance from shore when within natural vegetation affording concealment. Any man made materials used must be removed daily when not occupying the blind. If you have any additional questions please feel free to phone me at (608)785-9971. If I’m not there please leave a message and a call back number and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you again for your question.”

Here is the reply I got from the USFW

“Mr Joseph, thank you for your question on Mississippi River blinds. Your question was forwarded to me from Mr. Van Horn. Page 7 of the 2005 WI Migratory Bird Regulations talks about open water hunting on the Mississippi River. The area south of Goose Island is USFWS Refuge so there regulations also apply on their property. Securely anchored blinds in opened water are allowed not more than 100 feet from dry land. A boat blinds the hunter comes and leaves with leaving nothing behind are most common and legal when securely anchored within 100 feet of dry land. The USFWS does allow natural vegetation, willow cuttings and marsh grass to be set up to drive your boat into during the migratory bird season. These willows and grass may be left up in opened water and reused if within 100 feet of dry land. Blinds within areas of natural vegetation rooted to the bottom not including dead trees may be placed at any distance from shore when within natural vegetation affording concealment. Any man made materials used must be removed daily when not occupying the blind. If you have any additional questions please feel free to phone me at (608)785-9971. If I’m not there please leave a message and a call back number and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you again for your question.”